Karnataka: Three convicted prisoners escape from Kalaburagi Central Prison

Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Jul 14 (PTI) Three convicted prisoners escaped from the Kalaburagi Central Prison here after allegedly cutting a bathroom grill and using a ladder to scale the compound wall in the early hours of Tuesday, police said. They have been identified as Mastan, Santosh and Sagar, all from Bidar district, they said. Speaking to reporters here, Kalaburagi Police Commissioner Sharanappa S D said that three special teams have been formed to trace the escaped convicts and assured that they would be arrested at the earliest. "We received information that three convicted prisoners had escaped from the Kalaburagi Central Prison. Immediately, I, the DCP, other police officers and prison officials visited the spot and conducted an inspection. The prison authorities are in the process of filing a complaint. Based on that complaint, we will register a case," he said. He said two of the convicts are serving life imprisonment in separate murder cases, while the third prisoner has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in a POCSO case. "They are believed to have escaped from Barrack No 5. A detailed investigation is already underway. We have also called in the Scene of Crime (SOCO) team to scientifically examine the spot," he said. Responding to a question on how they managed to escape, the Commissioner said, "It appears that they had made preparations in advance for the escape. A new prison building is under construction there. They used a ladder meant for the construction work and climbed over the main high-rise compound wall before escaping." He said the prisoners managed to cut the grill of a bathroom attached to the barrack and escaped through that opening. Asked how the prisoners managed to escape despite the presence of electric wires atop the compound wall, the officer said, "We are checking that as well. There may have been lapses on the part of some staff members or officials. Senior prison officials have also reached the spot and are conducting an inspection. If any negligence is found, we have instructed the concerned authorities to take appropriate action against those responsible." "It appears that when the incident occurred last night, the electric fencing was most likely not functioning," he said. "We have already formed three special teams -- one for technical analysis, another to examine the surrounding area and analyse CCTV footage, and a third to gather field intelligence. We have also informed the Range DIG and the Bidar Superintendent of Police. Our teams are working on all possible angles, and we will arrest the accused, who are currently absconding, at the earliest," he said. The prison authorities will conduct a preliminary inquiry. "If negligence on the part of any staff members is found, action may also be taken against them," he added. PTI AMP COR KH